1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Nkf34jhapo
2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUedArPH5a4
3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9Uvwb2MFok

As many of us know, American Idol is a huge advertisement for itself and other companies. To prove my point, I am one out of many people who regularly tune into American Idol when it is on television. Last Tuesday February 9 I watched the season nine episode called "Hollywood Round #1." If you click on the first clip it illustrates how American Idol visually and unconsciously sneaks advertisements through commercials and the program. The clip shows American Idol symbols and written words on the backdrop of the stage, judges panel, bottom left corner, signers name tags, and slang or inappropriate language is blocked out. This proves that American Idol repeatedly advertises their company as well as other major companies.

While watching American Idol last Tuesday, each judge was seen stepping out of a Ford vehicle into the Kodak Theater. I was unable to find the clip from the specific episode I watched,but Ford has always been a major advertiser on American Idol. My second link is a clip from the seventh season of American Idol that shows the idols dancing, singing joyfully, and "breaking free" as they jump into a Ford vehicle. If you were a dedicated viewer and watched American Idol more than a couple of seasons, it is a possibility that Ford vehicles may influence your next decision for a car. Another thing I noticed, is that during each commercial break there is at least one Ford commercial previewed for viewers to see. The interesting thing is that Ford spends so much time, effort, and money to put their commercials for the American Idol audience.

What I am getting at is that the medium we watch and take for granted everyday does have influence on our actions. American idol is a reality television show that travels all around America to search for the best American singer. Also, Ford is an all American company so it is important for them to associate themselves to a similar audience like the American Idol. This is easy for Ford to influence that audience that has potentially same interest in American products or productions. The Ford, Vitamin Water-Zero, Kodak Theater, and A T&T are all great examples of how American Idol blends their programming known as commodification.

Before I graduated high school in 2007 one of my best friends Julia constantly watched American idol and religiously never missed an episode. If she did miss the episode it was already on Te-vo for her to watch late. On her eighteenth birthday Julia has dreamed and expressed how much a 2007 Ford Mustang would mean the world to her. Finally her birthday July 7, 2007 Julia received a brand new 2007 Ford convertible Mustang. Still today Julia talks about how well her car drives, how much she loves her car, and the latest gossip on American Idol. I do believe my friend Julia is a true real life example of how there is a connection to the media and influence on others actions and decisions. Julia was constantly introduced to American Idol and Ford which influenced her to need the car. The third link views an American idol commercial designed by Ford that shows the idols signing and driving around in the 2007 Ford Mustang.